February 2022 | WESTMONT, IL—Outreach magazine named Radiant Church as a 2022 Resource of the Year in the church category. Two additional titles, Lead Like It Matters to God and Tempered Resilience, made the shortlist for the “Also Recommended” resources in the leadership category.

The Outreach Resources of the Year aims to highlight valuable resources for church leaders and bring deserved attention to tools that can help churches better engage in effective outreach to share the gospel and reach their communities for Christ. This year’s titles address issues in evangelism, apologetics, the church, leadership, social issues and justice, among other concerns. The resources are featured in the March/April 2022 issue of Outreach magazine.

More than 150 resources published between November 1, 2020, and October 31, 2021, were submitted for consideration. An expert in each category evaluated the resources and chose what they considered to be the best. The experts also chose how many resources to recognize and whether to include any as “Also Recommended.”

Church 2021 Resource of the Year

Radiant Church: Restoring the Credibility of Our Witness by Tara Beth Leach was one of two titles Resources of the Year in the church category. Leach casts a vision for Christians to rediscover a robust, attractive witness and form the radiant communities God intends. Challenging idolatrous false images of God and calling out toxic patterns, she shows how we can recover a winsome picture of a kingdom of abundance and goodness.

Leach writes, “I pray that the church would begin to see, acknowledge, and name the bronze layers that are saturated with worldly beliefs and behaviors and flee from them. I pray that the church would know that we have not been destroyed—it’s not too late. I pray that we would reclaim, be renewed and revived, and allow the work of the Spirit to birth something new and radiant. Like the bronze statue, may the layers of our own systems that have hurt and harmed others begin to peel away, and may the lamp of truth, love, and righteousness be placed firmly on its pedestal and shine in all of its illuminating beauty. Not beauty for the glory of ourselves but for the glory and majesty of our King and Creator. May we shine in such a way that instead of hard lines in the sand being drawn, those who once felt excluded are now drawn to the radiant light of the church.”

“Also Recommended” Leadership Resources

Lead Like It Matters to God: Values-Driven Leadership in a Success-Driven World by Richard Stearns shares captivating stories of his life journey and unpacks seventeen crucial values that can transform leaders and their organizations. After stints as CEO of Parker Brothers and then Lenox, Stearns accepted the invitation to leave his corporate career to become the president of World Vision US, where he became the longest serving president in their seventy-year history.

Stearns shares the leadership principles he has learned over the course of his remarkable career. As a leader who has navigated both secular and sacred spaces, Stearns claims that the values Christian leaders embrace in their workplaces are actually more important than the results they achieve—that God is more concerned about a leader’s character than a leader’s success.

“This book is a rare treat—a fireside chat with a battle-tested Christian CEO who has led big organizations in both the secular and ministry worlds,” said John C. Maxwell, author of The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership. “Rich Stearns offers a master’s-level course on leadership with faith as his north star. Embrace these seventeen leadership values and you will become a better leader and a better ambassador for Christ.”

In Tempered Resilience: How Leaders Are Formed in the Crucible of Change Tod Bolsinger, also the author of the award-winning Canoeing the Mountains, writes, “To temper describes the process of heating, holding, hammering, cooling, and reheating that adds stress to raw iron until it becomes a glistening knife blade or chisel tip.” When reflection and relationships are combined into a life of deliberate practice, leaders become both stronger and more flexible.

Jim Herrington, cofounder of The Leader’s Journey: Coaching for Wholehearted Leadership, said, “Once again Tod Bolsinger has written a book for our times. With his incredible capacity for storytelling that allows principles to shine, in Tempered Resilience Bolsinger has spelled out a pathway for leadership and leadership development for this era of unprecedented change. This will become a classic that I’ll refer to over and over again.”

For a complete list of IVP award-winning titles visit ivpress.com.

Contact:  Krista Clayton | 630.734.4013 | kclayton@ivpress.com

NASHVILLE, Tenn.—R.H. Boyd Publishing Corporation is proud to announce its recent publishing partnership with widely regarded Mignon Francois, CEO of The Cupcake Collection.

The inspirational autobiographical account will chronicle many of the pivotal moments of Francois’ life, including her triumphs and challenges as an entrepreneur, and her story of transforming a $5 cupcake order into a $10 million enterprise.

The Cupcake Collection is a Nashville-based, award-winning bakery, featured in numerous publications, websites, cable network channels, and television magazine shows, including the Today Show, the Cooking Channel, BuzzFeed, The Chew, USA Today, Black Enterprise magazine.

The driving force behind the woman who now runs a multi-million-dollar business has less to do with innovative marketing or business practices and more to do with the heart, mind, and spirit of the company’s founder/CEO.

In her upcoming book, Francois shares heartfelt stories about the roots of her successes—from her upbringing to the serendipitous connections she has made along the way. She provides reflections on her many challenges, as well as her tools for staying grounded in her faith.

Since Francois founded the bakery in 2008, she has ignited a movement for other businesses, and her “Follow Your Spirit” approach inspired her to create iconic flavors that continue to attract long lines of cupcake enthusiasts to this day.

Francois’ story is among the first to be given voice as part of R.H. Boyd’s return to book publishing. The company has worked with Grammy Award-winning Gospel artist Jonathan McReynolds and is scheduled to release a book on life lessons and wisdom truths learned while Mrs. Park was a guest at author H.H. Leonards’ home.

Since its founding in 1896, R.H. Boyd has taken seriously the charge to print, publish, and distribute resources with a targeted focus on African American communities.

“Our company has always served as a voice for the unheard and we see this continued expansion as a necessary next step in empowering each individual to take charge of their narrative and tell their story,” says Dr. LaDonna Boyd, fifth-generation R.H. Boyd president/CEO. “We need storytellers now more than ever who won’t allow others to speak for them.”

To learn more about R.H. Boyd, Mignon Francois’ inspirational book project, independent publishing, and stay updated on news and events, visit rhboyd.com and follow the company on social media @rhboydco.

Contact: Emmanuel LeGrair, marketing@rhboyd.com

 

A permaculture expert and wildly popular YouTube Homesteader, Justin Rhodes shares the skills and the delights of becoming a part of your own food story in this inspiring, accessible, and beautiful invitation to a more abundant, healthy, and connected life

Have you ever wanted to experiment with growing your own food but didn’t think you had the space, the time, or the knowledge? Justin Rhodes thought the same thing—until after years battling systemic illness and struggling to provide the kind of wholesome food he wanted for his family, he bought a seed packet at the grocery store and was hooked! Justin discovered the miraculous potential and empowerment of working with nature to grow food for his family, and since that discovery, he has shared his self-taught skills with hundreds of thousands of growers via his popular YouTube channel and website. Whether you’re looking for greater food security, better health, tastier food, to save or earn money, connect with your food source, this book is for you. If you’re looking for a different kind of life—a life focused on health and wellness—take a look down the road less traveled.

Looking for every opportunity to pass his hard-earned knowledge onto others, Justin Rhodes created this inspiring and practical invitation to growing your own food and experiencing a more connected, sustainable lifestyle, no matter where you live or how much space you have. Filled with beautiful and inspiring photographs from the Rhodes’ homestead and chock full of resources, including gardening plans, everything you need to know about raising chickens, tips for how to get your kids involved, and even recipes for how to serve up your home-grown goodness, The Rooted Life provides you with the inspiration, the encouragement, and the practical wisdom that you need to begin the journey to a more rooted life.

JUSTIN RHODES is a Permaculturalist, film producer, and author, teaching folks to work with nature to produce their own sustenance and live a more abundant life. Seasoned homesteaders, the Rhodes family has enjoyed many years of practicing “beyond organic” and permaculture methods on their 75-acre family farm near Asheville NC. Justin trained under the highly accredited Geoff Lawton of PRI Australia for his Permaculture Design Certificate (PDC) and has studied natural chicken care under popular author, Pat Foremen. Abundant Permaculture was founded out of a love of teaching and the sustainable movement.

Contact: Katie Robison| Senior Publicist | Hachette Nashville | C: 917.538.1417 

The book is the latest addition to Smiley’s Average Boy™ line

Carol Stream, Ill. (February 14, 2022) — In alliance with Tyndale House Publishers, Christian comedian Bob Smiley and Focus on the Family will release Average Boy’s Above-Average Year, a new fiction book for middle-grade readers (ages 8–12), on March 8, 2022. As they follow along with Average Boy’s hilarious antics and adventures through the school year, young readers will learn important biblical lessons that they can apply to their own lives.

Written with Smiley’s signature humor, Average Boy’s Above-Average Year is the latest addition to his popular Average Boy^TM line, which presents stories about a very normal boy (in some very funny situations) who comes up with a godly solution to any problem that arises. The Average Boy^TM line also includes a regular feature in Focus on the Family’s Clubhouse magazine, two devotionals, and The Official Average Boy Podcast.

Bob Smiley is a longtime contributor to Focus on the Family publications (Breakaway, Brio, Clubhouse, Clubhouse Jr.) and has been doing standup comedy for over 20 years, touring with such bands as the Newsboys, Third Day, and Toby Mac.

For more information or for media inquiries, please contact Mariah Franklin at mariahfranklin@tyndale.com.

Average Boy’s Above-Average Year by Bob Smiley
Softcover ISBN: 978-1-64607-058-9 | $12.99 | March 8, 2022
https://store.focusonthefamily.com/average-boys-above-average-year/

Focus on the Family, which reaches about 38 million people in 120 countries, is a global faith-based ministry that helps families thrive. Tyndale House Publishers is pleased to partner with Focus on the Family to help provide trusted resources for strengthening believers in their faith and sharing the gospel; building resilient marriages that reflect God’s design; equipping parents to raise their children with a thriving faith; advocating for the preborn, orphaned and life at every stage; and engaging the culture through a biblical worldview. Visit Focus at FocusontheFamily.com or on Facebook and Twitter.

Since its founding in 1962, Tyndale House Publishers has been a voice to trust for generations of readers. Today, Tyndale is one of the largest independent Christian publishers in the world. Tyndale’s mission is to make the Bible accessible to as many people as possible in language that they can relate and respond to. Tyndale publishes the Holy Bible, New Living Translation (NLT) and offers nonfiction books that equip readers with Christ-centered insight, counsel, and life-improving stories. In addition, Tyndale publishes fiction from fresh new voices and celebrated authors alike, capturing the imagination of millions of readers. With a deep understanding of the importance of nurturing future generations, Tyndale also publishes children’s products that make God’s Word and wisdom come alive. Tyndale’s independent status allows it to follow its founding model, giving a majority of annual revenue—more than $110 million throughout its history—to charitable missions. With every book purchased, Tyndale readers help meet the physical and spiritual needs of people around the world.

 

Nashville, Tenn. (February 15, 2022) — WTA Media has added Jenaye Merida as Publishing Manager and Literary Agent. During her last six years at B&H Publishing (part of Lifeway Christian Resources), Merida filled roles in author relations as well as publicity and marketing strategy. She also served as a product spokesperson across platforms such as QVC, Amazon Live and on both sides of the microphone for popular podcasts.

Brian Mitchell, President of WTA Media, welcomes Jenaye Merida to the WTA and EMF publishing family: “Jenaye is an ideal addition to our book publishing program. Her broad experience and strong relationships make her a great match for our mission, providing positive, encouraging content for Christian readers.” WTA Media, a division of Educational Media Foundation (EMF), represents and assists authors, writers and filmmakers in developing books, films and related products for Christian consumers.

WTA Media’s Director of Publishing, Dave Schroeder, comments: “Jenaye’s skill set is unique. She understands the publishing process, from conception to promotion and sales, she deeply values relationships, and she is also fluent in Spanish. She’s the right person to help us bridge the CCM and literary worlds as we produce compelling books.”

“I am excited and honored to join the WTA Media and EMF Publishing team,” says Jenaye Merida. “I love being a part of creating and promoting books that impact people for Christ, and I am excited to partner with WTA Media and EMF Publishing to develop content that will serve both authors and publishing partners.”

EMF Publishing operating under the imprint K-LOVE Books, led by WTA’s team, is bringing multiple titles to market in early 2022. Lead titles include Mandisa’s Out of the Dark: My Journey Through the Shadows to Find God’s Joy as well as Behind the Lights: The Extraordinary Adventure of a Mum and Her Family by Helen Smallbone (mother of Rebecca St. James and for KING & COUNTRY). EMF is proud to usher in K-LOVE Books’ first children’s title later this month: The Bible for Me – Bible Stories & Prayers by Mike Nawrocki and Amy Parker.

Educational Media Foundation (EMF) began as a single, nonprofit radio station in Northern California in 1982 and is now parent company to K-LOVE and Air1 – the nation’s largest contemporary Christian radio networks. With nearly 500 employees and broadcasting on more than 1,000 signals across all 50 states, EMF is also among the top 10 U.S.-based audio streaming companies.  EMF is also parent company to WTA Media (a leader in faith-based films and publishing), AccessMore (a growing faith-focused podcasting platform), K-LOVE Books and K-LOVE Films. The ministry continues to expand with the mission of creating compelling media that inspires and encourage audiences to have a meaningful relationship with Jesus Christ. For more information, please visit EMFbroadcasting.com.

K-LOVE Books is an imprint of EMF Publishing. Educational Media Foundation (EMF) is the parent organization of K-LOVE and Air1 radio and AccessMore podcasting.

WTA Media represents and assists authors, writers and filmmakers in developing books, films and related products for Christian consumers. WTA Media is a division of Educational Media Foundation (EMF), the parent company of one of the largest faith-based entertainment groups in the world.

Contact: Jana Muntsinger, MMPR, 832-247-9308, jana@mmpublicrelations.com

New book shares insights gained from Gibbs’s journey through grief after losing his son J. D. to a degenerative brain disease in 2019

Carol Stream, Ill. (February 16, 2022) — On April 5, Tyndale House Publishers (@tyndalehouse) will release Game Plan for Loss: An Average Joe’s Guide to Dealing with Grief, written by former NFL coach and current NASCAR team owner Joe Gibbs (Tyndale Momentum, hardcover ISBN: 978-1-4964-5795-0, $17.99). In his new book, Gibbs offers biblical principles as a guide for those dealing with the illness or loss of a loved one. Game Plan for Loss serves as a companion to Gibbs’s bestselling book Game Plan for Life which has sold over 250,000 copies since its release in 2011.

In 2019, Gibbs’s son J. D. lost his battle with a degenerative brain disease at the age of 49. Throughout J. D.’s illness, Gibbs wrestled with questions like why does God allow suffering? and are we living a life of chance? In Game Plan for Loss, Gibbs presents thoughtful answers to these difficult questions, sharing insights from the Bible and from his personal journey with grief, encouraging readers that God always has a plan and purpose for our lives, even in the midst of suffering and loss.

Joe Gibbs is the 3-time Super Bowl–winning coach of the Washington Redskins, the 5-time championship owner of the Joe Gibbs Racing NASCAR team, and the only person ever to be inducted into both the NFL and NASCAR Hall of Fame. Joe is also the founder of Game Plan for Life, a ministry which focuses on winning souls for Christ and teaching others how to live God-centered lives. Joe and his wife, Pat, have two sons and eight grandchildren.

For more information or for media inquiries, please contact Mariah Franklin at mariahfranklin@tyndale.com.

Game Plan for Loss by Joe Gibbs
Tyndale Momentum
hardcover ISBN: 978-1-4964-5795-0
$17.99 | 160 pages | April 2022
Tyndale.com

Since its founding in 1962, Tyndale House Publishers has been a voice to trust for generations of readers. Today, Tyndale is one of the largest independent Christian publishers in the world. Tyndale’s mission is to make the Bible accessible to as many people as possible in language that they can relate and respond to. Tyndale publishes the Holy Bible, New Living Translation (NLT) and offers nonfiction books that equip readers with Christ-centered insight, counsel, and life-improving stories. In addition, Tyndale publishes fiction from fresh new voices and celebrated authors alike, capturing the imagination of millions of readers. With a deep understanding of the importance of nurturing future generations, Tyndale also publishes children’s products that make God’s Word and wisdom come alive. Tyndale’s independent status allows it to follow its founding model, giving a majority of annual revenue—more than $110 million throughout its history—to charitable missions. With every book purchased, Tyndale readers help meet the physical and spiritual needs of people around the world.

Lexham Press is pleased to announce that Tremper Longman III has been named the new General Editor for the Evangelical Exegetical Commentary (EEC) series. In addition, David T. Lamb will join the project as the new Old Testament Editor.

The acclaimed volumes in the EEC are essential resources widely used by pastors and scholars alike. The transition to a new General Editor serves to reinforce the fundamental mission of the EEC: to deliver thoroughly scholarly commentaries that don’t compromise on evangelical convictions. Lexham is excited to continue to pursue the vision of the EEC with excellence.

Longman is Distinguished Scholar and Professor Emeritus of Biblical Studies at Westmont College where he taught for nineteen years after teaching at Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia for eighteen years. Longman said, “I am grateful and excited to assume the position of General Editor of the Evangelical Exegetical Commentary. Commentaries have an essential role in informing and influencing pastors, scholars, and lay people in the interpretation of Scripture. Thus, I take my role very seriously in helping this excellent series present the very best in evangelical scholarship in service to the church over the next few years.”

Lamb, the MacRae Professor of Old Testament and Dean of the Faculty at Missio Seminary, said, “I am delighted to be joining Tremper Longman and JoAnna Hoyt in editing Lexham’s distinguished Evangelical Exegetical Commentary. I am confident that this series will serve future generations of scholars, pastors, and church leaders, empowering them to see that the Word of God is a lamp to our feet, and a light to our path.”

We wish to thank H. Wayne House and William D. Barrick, the original General Editor and Old Testament Editors, respectively, for their service and dedication to the EEC. In his letter of resignation, House said, “It has been my honor to have created this project and guided it over the years.”

With Longman and Lamb on board, the full editorial team is structured as follows:

• Tremper Longman III, General Editor
• David T. Lamb, Old Testament Editor
• Andreas J. Köstenberger, New Testament Editor
• JoAnna M. Hoyt, Assistant Old Testament Editor
• Benjamin L. Gladd, Assistant New Testament Editor

For more on the EEC series, visit https://lexhampress.com/Evangelical-Exegetical-Commentary

Contact: Lindsay John Kennedy, Publicity Strategist, Lexham Press, lindsay@lexhampress.com

 

 

 

 

Carol Stream, Ill. — (February 18, 2022) — The Lady’s Mine, Francine Rivers’s highly anticipated historical romance set in the Wild West,  which released on February 8, 2022, from Tyndale House Publishers, quickly skyrocketed to bestseller standing. In its release week, the title debuted at #11 on the New York Times Best Sellers List and #3 on the Publishers Weekly Bestsellers list, both in the hardcover fiction category. It also debuted at #25 on USA Today’s bestselling books list, spanning all categories.

In her new novel, the widely acclaimed Rivers returns to the California frontier with a sweeping, romantic tale of a displaced New England suffragette, a former Union soldier disinherited by his Southern family, and the town they join forces to save.

Of this bestselling release, publisher Karen Watson shares, “The Lady’s Mine is hitting just the right notes with readers at just the right time. Drawing from The Taming of the Shrew with a little bit of Oklahoma! in the mix, Francine paints a lighthearted tale of a young woman caught in the tension between her social conscience and her own need for spiritual change. And all of this told with clever dialogue, humor, and a romance to cheer for! We couldn’t be any more excited about this delightful new release from Francine.”

Rivers calls this her “COVID book,” writing it while in lockdown. Of this experience, Rivers offers, “What does a writer do when she is sheltering in place? Write. And write. And write some more! By the time I finished the manuscript, it was 194,000 words! It needed major cutting. But as I was still sheltering in place out here in California, the job of cutting turned out to be almost as much fun as the writing process.”

She continues, “So, here it is, my COVID book, harkening back to my roots as a romance writer and addressing the question ‘Can one person impact an entire community?’ I hope you will have as much fun reading the story as I had writing it.”

New York Times bestselling author Francine Rivers has published numerous novels—all bestsellers—and she has continued to win both industry acclaim and reader loyalty around the globe. Her Christian novels have been awarded or nominated for many honors, and in 1997, after winning her third RITA Award for inspirational fiction, Francine was inducted into the Romance Writers of America Hall of Fame. In 2015, she received the Lifetime Achievement Award from American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW). Francine’s novels have been translated into over thirty different languages, and she enjoys bestseller status in many foreign countries. She and her husband, Rick, enjoy spending time with their children and grandchildren.

For more information or for media inquiries, please contact Katie Dodillet, katiedodillet@tyndale.com.

Since its founding in 1962, Tyndale House Publishers has been a voice to trust for generations of readers. Today, Tyndale is one of the largest independent Christian publishers in the world. Tyndale’s mission is to make the Bible accessible to as many people as possible in language that they can relate and respond to. Tyndale publishes the Holy Bible, New Living Translation (NLT), and offers nonfiction books that equip readers with Christ-centered insight, counsel, and life-improving stories. In addition, Tyndale publishes fiction from fresh new voices and celebrated authors alike, capturing the imagination of millions of readers. With a deep understanding of the importance of nurturing future generations, Tyndale also publishes children’s products that make God’s Word and wisdom come alive. Tyndale’s independent status allows it to follow its founding model, giving a majority of annual revenue—more than $110 million throughout its history—to charitable missions. With every book purchased, Tyndale readers help meet the physical and spiritual needs of people around the world.

 

CAROL STREAM, ILL. (February 18, 2022)—Tyndale is pleased to announce that Stephen Curry’s Literati book club, Underrated, which is committed to championing often overlooked authors and stories, has selected All That is Secret by Patricia Raybon as its March 2022 pick for readers. As one of Literati’s original Luminaries, Stephen identifies stories that feature diverse protagonists around social justice issues, encouraging readers to push their boundaries.

All That Is Secret is the first book in a compelling historical mystery series by award-winning author and essayist Patricia Raybon. It centers around a young Black theologian’s journey to solve her father’s cold case murder in a city ruled by the KKK. The crime fiction novel was selected by Parade Magazine as a fall 2021 “Mysteries We Love” as well as PBS Masterpiece’s “Best Mystery Books of 2021: As Recommended by Bestselling Authors.” CrimeReads also included it as a “Best Debut Novels” pick for October 2021.

Upon receiving this honor, author Patricia Raybon shared, “I’m thrilled by NBA all-star Stephen Curry’s selection of my novel. I admire him so much—his commitment to faith and family, community and social justice, and of course, his athletic prowess and achievements. Then there’s his love of books and reading. He cares that both children and adults fall in love with reading to learn, grow, find themselves, and connect with others. To know he’s sharing my story of a young Black theologian–turned–amateur detective with fellow booklovers is a highlight beyond measure.”

Tyndale fiction Senior Acquisitions Editor Stephanie Broene offered, “We’re so honored that Stephen Curry has chosen to feature Patricia Raybon’s All That Is Secret as a book club pick. We believe Patricia has enormous talent and potential, and we can’t wait for readers to be swept up into this compelling mystery!”

Other books selected for Stephen Curry’s book club have included The Other Wes Moore by Wes Moore, The Gilded Ones by Namina Forna, and Haben by Haben Girma.

For more information on Stephen Curry’s book club, visit https://literati.com/book-clubs/stephen-curry/. For media information on All That is Secret, visit https://mediacenter.tyndale.com/p/all-that-is-secret/9781496458377.

Since its founding in 1962, Tyndale House Publishers has been a voice to trust for generations of readers. Today, Tyndale is one of the largest independent Christian publishers in the world. Tyndale’s mission is to make the Bible accessible to as many people as possible in language that they can relate and respond to. Tyndale publishes the Holy Bible, New Living Translation (NLT) and offers nonfiction books that equip readers with Christ-centered insight, counsel, and life-improving stories. In addition, Tyndale publishes fiction from fresh new voices and celebrated authors alike, capturing the imagination of millions of readers. With a deep understanding of the importance of nurturing future generations, Tyndale also publishes children’s products that make God’s Word and wisdom come alive. Tyndale’s independent status allows it to follow its founding model, giving a majority of annual revenue—more than $110 million throughout its history—to charitable missions. With every book purchased, Tyndale readers help meet the physical and spiritual needs of people around the world.

Contact: Isabella Graunke, Publicist, isabellagraunke@tyndale.com

 

 

Helping Children Learn to Use Their Words Wisely

New series from Ginger Hubbard and Al Roland launches with stories to help young children break the bad habits of whining and lying

Greensboro, NC—When children tell lies or whine to get what they want, the problem isn’t just the words that they use or how they say it. Instead, when a child acts out verbally, it’s important to get to the heart of the matter. Rather than focusing on behavior modification, the new Teaching Children to Use Their Words Wisely series written by Ginger Hubbard and Al Roland places a strong emphasis on the why behind the behavior.

“As a conference speaker, I have listened to parents all over the country express heartache over their inability to help their children get a handle on tongue-related offences,” Hubbard shares. “So many children today are in bondage to enslaving addictions of the tongue which stem from enslaving sins of the heart. Parents are looking for ways to uproot these issues, address them from a biblical perspective, and point their children to Jesus—who is our only hope for change. I’ve written parenting books to help parents do that, but I also wanted to write children’s books to help them grasp these same concepts in fun ways.”

The bright, colorful illustrations by Veronika Kotyk will draw children ages 4–7 into the books, while the engaging, fun stories will not only entertain young readers but will also help them to think about the effects of their words. At the end of each book of the Teaching Children to Use Their Words Wisely series there is a resource page for parents and caregivers that supplies biblical content and practical strategies for the problem at hand.

The first release in the series is Sam and the Sticky Situation: A Book About Whining. Sam has figured out a way to get what he wants when he wants it—he whines. In fact, it works so well that he’s started whining more and more to get his way. Not only does Sam’s mother give into his whining very quickly—he learned how to whine from her. But Sam finds himself in quite the sticky situation when his whining leads him to being covered with cotton candy and stuck on the top of a Ferris wheel!

All parents want their children to whine less, but few notice that they might have a problem with whining too. The authors help families think about whining with a silly story that will not only make them laugh but will also encourage them to see how whining stems from a heart that wants things more than God. The parent resource page at the end of the book presents a biblical framework and practical suggestions to help children understand why they whine and how to learn a better way of expressing themselves.

Releasing simultaneously is Chloe and the Closet of Secrets: A Book About Lying. Chloe has a sneaky habit of making up stories. She thinks it’s no big deal, but one day crazy little fluffs appear every time she tells a lie. Chloe starts stuffing the fluffs in her closet, but soon it’s almost ready to burst. Not only that, she realizes that her lies are sinful and are hurting her relationships. But after her father confesses his own lie and asks God for forgiveness, Chloe gains the courage to let out all of her secrets.

Most children (and adults too) struggle with being completely truthful. Even though we know it’s wrong to not tell the whole truth, it’s still hard to help a child understand why. Hubbard and Roland give parents sound recommendations for helping their children (and themselves) learn to speak the truth. The parent section in the back offers advice to help children understand what a lie is, some reasons that they lie, and the power of confession and forgiveness.

“Our sin does not begin with our mouths; it begins with our hearts. ‘The mouth speaks what the heart is full of’ (Matthew 12:34). Our goal is to help readers recognize the sin in their hearts, desire God above all things, pursue Christlike character, and turn to Jesus for help,” says Roland.

Chap Bettis, author of The Disciple-Making Parent, writes, “While character training in children cannot regenerate the heart, it does shape it. As a result, good parenting will both speak the gospel and shape the will. I am delighted to see this new series of children’s books by Ginger Hubbard and Al Roland does both. Parents and grandparents will find these a fun and engaging help as they seek to disciple the hearts of their children.”

Ginger Hubbard speaks at women’s events, parenting conferences, and homeschool conventions across the country, and cohosts the Parenting with Ginger Hubbard podcast. Engaging every audience with charisma and warmth, Hubbard’s unforgettable and life changing messages enlighten and inspire women from coast to coast. She has been interviewed on national and international television and radio programs, including Focus on the Family, Revive Our Hearts, and Family Life Today. Hubbard is the bestselling author of Don’t Make Me Count to Three, Wise Words for Moms, and I Can’t Believe You Just Said That and the coauthor of the Teaching Children to Use Their Words Wisely series. Ginger and her husband, Ronnie, have four adult children and live in Opelika, Alabama, where they enjoy working together from home. Learn more and listen to her podcast at www.GingerHubbard.com. She can also be found on Facebook (@OfficialGingerHubbard) and Instagram (@ginger.hubbard).

Al Roland has worked as a software developer for over thirty-six years. He enjoys spending time with his family, long road trips, mountain biking, adventure, and serving several ministries including RYFO which provides Christian host homes for traveling musicians. He is the coauthor of the Teaching Children to Use Their Words Wisely series. Al and his wife, Jennifer, live in Opelika, Alabama where they raised and homeschooled their four children.

About the Illustrator:  Veronika Kotyk is a Ukrainian illustrator who is passionate about creating quirky characters and bright worlds for children’s books. After receiving a fine art degree, she explored foreign cultures and various forms of art. Her awards include the 2017 stArt Award and a gold medal at Mom’s Choice Awards. She is the illustrator for the Teaching Children to Use Their Words Wisely series.

Teaching Children to Use Their Words Wisely Series
Sam and the Sticky Situation: A Book About Whining Print ISBN: 978-1-64507-200-3
Chloe and the Closet of Secrets: A Book About Lying Print ISBN: 978-1-64507-202-7
by Ginger Hubbard and Al Roland, Illustrated by Veronika Kotyk
February 21, 2022 / Retail Price: $16.99
RELIGION / Christian Ministry / Children